Canberra Raiders star Joseph Tapine is set to be one of the most targeted players when he becomes eligible to negotiate with rivals in six weeks.

Tapine was in unstoppable form for the Raiders on Saturday night as Ricky Stuart’s side stunned the Melbourne Storm in the first elimination final.

The 28-year-old is off contract at the end of the 2023 season and the Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield revealed he will not short of suitors.

While Rothfield believes that Tapine won’t crack the million dollar mark, he is convinced that the Raiders will have their work cut out for them if they intend on retaining the 28-year-old.

“It’s interesting we were all talking about Cameron Munster’s contract at the Melbourne Storm and he can talk to rival clubs in about six weeks time,” Rothfield told Sky Racing’s Big Sports Breakfast.

“I think Joe Tapine will be sought after just as much.

“He’s a great player and is he the form front-rower in the comp? Him and James Fisher-Harris.

“I would suggest the Raiders can’t lose him, but his manager Jim Banaghan told me that half a dozen clubs have expressed interest.

“Not many million dollar front rowers though are there.

“That’s money normally reserved for playmakers, halves, five-eighths, fullbacks but the Raiders are going to have to get up around that mark to keep him.

“It’ll be interesting to watch and play out.”

DISGRACED CENTRE ON BULLDOGS RADAR

Former Sharks centre Bronson Xerri may have found a club to call home when he’s set for his NRL return in 2024.

The 21-year-old hasn’t played a game of rugby league since 2019 after copping a four-year ban in 2020 for illegal testosterone usage.

Moreover the disgraced centre has recently hired new management, who are currently alerting NRL clubs that he will be ready to return very soon, with one club in particular taking notice.

Xerri is set to meet with new Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo about possibly joining the Belmore based side in 2024.

Whilst his on-field attributes are well known, Ciraldo is eager to see whether Xerri regrets the road he took off-field that eventually lead to his suspension.

Since his last game in the NRL the 21-year-old has stacked on a lot of size to his frame, questions arising whether he’ll still be as agile as he once was.

 

However his former sprint coach Roger Fabri is confident that he’ll return to his full speed by the time he returns back to the competition.

“You’re either born with speed or you’re not. Bronson was born with it,” Fabri told The Daily Telegraph.

“His body shape has changed but, if he really wants to get his speed back, I can guarantee we’ll make it happen.”